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Thirteen Internet fraudsters have been sentenced to a combined 30 years in prison following their conviction by an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, the state capital.
PUNCH Metro gathered from a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Sunday, that the judgements were delivered in separate proceedings between November 11 and November 14, 2024.
The statement noted that the convicts were arrested and prosecuted for their involvement in cybercrime activities, including obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents, among others.
The EFCC identified the convicts as Evbayakha Daniel, Goodness Esiuke, Joshua Edobor, Omorodion Bright, Afisi Nurudeen, Oviabor Aisosa Wellington, and Evbayekha Desmond.
Others are Nosakhare Evbuomwan, Osemwengie Miracle, Osawe Kluvert, Wisdom Adolor, Onyebuchi Goodness, and Promise Omoru.
The statement continued, “They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission.
“The charge against Evbayakha Daniel reads: That you, Daniel (m), on or about October 30, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
“All the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo, K.Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, and Salihu Ahmed to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.”
It added that upon their guilty plea, Justice A.N. Erhabor on November 11 convicted and sentenced Evbayakha Daniel, Goodness Esiuke, Joshua Edobor, Omorodion Bright, and Afisi Nurudeen, to two years imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine each.
It continued, “On Wednesday, November 13, Justice Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced Oviabor Aisosa Wellington and Evbayekha Desmond to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
“On Thursday, November 14, the quartet of Nosakhare Evbuomwan, Osemwengie Miracle, Osawe Kluvert, and Promise Omoru were convicted and sentenced by Justice Aziegbemhin to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 while the duo of Wisdom Adolor and Onyebuchi Goodness bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.”
The statement concluded that the court ordered the forfeiture of exhibits retrieved from the convicts, which included “phones, laptops, and balances in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria as proceeds of crime and to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.”
A 22-year-old school teacher at the Blessed Peace School in Egbeda, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos state simply identified as Prosper has been arrested for allegedly s0d0mising a 10-year-old boy at the school.
It was gathered that before performing the crime, the suspect allegedly told the pupil to behave like a girl and take off his trousers after luring her to a solitary spot in the school.
Investigation by Punch also revealed that the suspect had enticed the survivor to the location on October 18, 2024, by claiming he intended to take him to a spelling bee and art competition where the survivor would earn millions of naira and possibly even travel abroad.
“The teacher r@ped the boy at the school, convincing him by saying he would be enrolled in an art competition where they would win a substantial amount of money,” an eyewitness narrated.
“He took the boy to a class and ordered him to act like a girl. He then told him to pull his trousers down and close his eyes. He p3netrated this boy and told him he should not tell anyone, assuring him that he would win the competition.”
A source familiar with the suspect’s arrest revealed that the suspect was apprehended on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, while attempting to commit a similar act with another pupil at the school.
“An 11-year-old boy, who is more outspoken, informed his parents that he no longer wanted to attend the school. When his parents pressed for a reason, he revealed that a teacher had been threatening him, warning that something bad would happen if he didn’t comply with the teacher’s demands.
“This led the parents, school management, and other teachers to question other pupils, though they initially found no leads. However, a teacher recalled that the suspect often showed particular interest in one boy, frequently buying him gifts and giving him preferential treatment.
“It was at this point that the survivor confessed that the suspect had lured him with promises of a spelling bee and art competition, claiming he would win N2m and be taken abroad. The school was unaware of any such competitions mentioned by the suspect,” the eyewitness said.
The suspect was initially taken into custody by the police at the Idimu Division before being transferred to the Police Gender Unit for subsequent prosecution.
In a telephone conversation with the publication on Sunday, Mrs Ololade Ajayi, the founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focused on combating gender-based violence and the key advocate behind the arrest, expressed concerns that the police officers at the Gender Unit were attempting to hinder the prosecution of the suspect.
“Since the case was transferred to the Gender Unit, it has not been sent to court. I visited their office last Wednesday to inquire about the case. When I asked why it hadn’t been transferred, the inspector in charge explained that the unit was still conducting a preliminary investigation and that the boy’s mother had not returned,” she said.
“I informed the investigating police officer that the family was financially struggling and offered to cover the transport costs to the crime scene whenever they were ready. She assured me that she would call on Friday.
“On Friday, I called her to check if they were ready to go so I could arrange an Uber to take them to the crime scene, but she told me she was going somewhere else and would not be coming. I suspect there may be foul play involved."
The head of the Idimu Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police, Gladys Faniyi, confirmed that the case had been referred to the Police Gender Unit.
“I have referred the case to the Gender Department. If you need any information, please direct your enquiries to that department,” Faniyi stated.
‘A Man Who Could Not Manage Is Presidency Is Advicing Tinubu’ – Afenifere Chieftain Throws Shade At Obasanjo
AFOLABI
The National Organising Secretary of Afenifere, Kole Omololu, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s brief tenure in office has already shown signs of surpassing the record of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a statement on Sunday, Omololu highlighted the emerging benefits of Tinubu’s economic reforms, which he said have placed the nation on a path toward recovery, growth, and development.
“The president’s economic reforms give hope that the nation is on a trajectory of recovery, growth, and development,” Omololu said, countering recent criticisms from Obasanjo.
At a keynote address delivered during the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, Connecticut, USA, Obasanjo had described Nigeria under Tinubu as a “failing state.”
In his recorded lecture titled ‘Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria’, the former president accused the administration of perpetuating corruption, mediocrity, and incompetence, among other issues.
Omololu dismissed Obasanjo’s claims as “inaccurate and a reflection of his habitual attention-seeking,” arguing that Tinubu’s reforms have already begun addressing systemic challenges.
“The assertion that Nigeria is a failing state under Tinubu is incorrect and smacks of mischief. The president’s leadership has started yielding tangible gains, contrary to the former president’s pessimistic assessment,” Omololu remarked.
“This is typical Obasanjo grandstanding. As the late President Shehu Shagari wrote about him in his autobiography, ‘Beckoned To Serve,’ Obasanjo is an egotistical narcissist who cannot stand not being the centre of attention and the cynosure of all eyes. He will engage in serial acts of incitement to attract the spotlight to himself,” he stated.
Saying Obasanjo had persistently criticised his successors unduly, Omololu contended that Tinubu’s managerial, moral and anti-corruption records were shoulder above the former president’s.
The Afenifere chieftain said the president’s economic reforms, including the withdrawal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex rates, were bold measures the former president did not dare to take while in office.
He said these measures had shored up the nation’s revenue and helped it to reduce its debt service ratio from 97% to 65% of income within 17 months.
He added that Nigeria, under Tinubu, had achieved a new record in its trade balance, with an unprecedented N14.07 trillion trade surplus by half-year 2024, pointing out that the administration’s non-oil revenue in one quarter was more than the total generated during Obasanjo’s eight years in office.
Omololu queried, “How can President Obasanjo talk of mismanagement when, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, the Nigerian Stock Exchange crossed 104,562.06 All Shares Index, a 39.84% increase year-to-date, making it the second-best performing exchange in Africa?”
The Afenifere chieftain also disputed the former president’s assessment of the president’s anti-corruption record, stating that the top global transparency rating agency, Transparency International, reported a more positive evaluation.
“Transparency International says Nigeria is less corrupt today than during the Obasanjo administration,” he said, adding, “Nigeria improved on TI’s Corruption Perception Rating this year, moving five places from 150 in 2023 to 145 in 2024. In contrast, under Obasanjo, Nigeria was rated the second-most corrupt nation in the world, with only Bangladesh ahead of us in 2002. Out of 102 nations, Nigeria was number 101.”
Omololu pointed out that Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, publicly exposed themselves via a nasty public exchange exposing their dirty dealings.
Omololu said Obasanjo, who could not manage his deputy, Atiku, lacked the moral authority to accuse Tinubu of immorality and mismanagement.
“If you could not manage your Presidency, what moral authority do you have to call the man who has managed his government and party with almost military efficiency a mediocre?” he queried.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, has asked the national assembly to reject any attempts to “cheat” the north with the proposed tax reform bills.
Kwankwaso spoke on Sunday at the convocation ceremony of Skyline University held at the Ammani Centre, Nassarawa GRA, Kano state.
Kwankwaso alleged that Lagos is “making a lot of efforts” to colonise the north.
The former governor accused the president, who hails from Lagos, of interfering in the emirship tussle in Kano.
“The Emir has just been installed at this difficult time in our country, especially in this part of the country, northern Nigeria,” he said.
“Today, we can see very clearly that there is a lot of effort from the Lagos axis to colonise this part of the country.
“Today, Lagos wouldn’t allow us to choose our Emir. Lagos has to come to the centre of Kano to put their own Emir.
“Today, we are aware that the Lagos young men are working so hard to impose and take away our taxes from Kano and this part of the country to Lagos.”
The Kano emirship is a subject of litigation.
Muhammadu Sanusi was reinstated as the Emir of Kano in May.
However, Aminu Bayero, who was removed to make way for Sanusi, has refusedto step aside.
TAX REFORM BILLS
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections said many factory owners have been “forced” to relocate their headquarters to Lagos to make the south-west state claim “all the taxes”.
“We have seen the effort of some people to make the poor poorer and the rich richer. And I believe this is very dangerous for us,” Kwankwaso said.
“This part of the country today is suffering from a serious economic crunch, insecurity, poverty, hunger, and diseases.
“I believe this is not good for the cordial existence of our country. At this moment, I would like to call on all our national assembly members to keep their eyes open so that they don’t do anything that will cheat the people of northern Nigeria, especially here in Kano.
“We are witnesses to what happened during the first term of Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003, where our members of the national assembly were bribed into collecting a huge sum of money to support onshore/offshore in the country.
“That law put a huge blow on our economy in northern Nigeria and all other states.”
BACKGROUND
On October 3, Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.
The proposed legislations, which have sparked intense debate, include the Nigeria tax bill, the tax administration bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill.
The president also asked the parliament to repeal the law establishing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.
On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, arguing that the proposed legislation would harm the region’s interests.
The governors asked the national assembly to reject the bills, demanding equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes across all regions.
The national economic council (NEC) also asked Tinubu to withdraw the bills to give room for consultations.
On November 1, Tinubu said the bills would not be withdrawn from the national assembly, noting that the proposed laws are designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.
The Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev, has expressed concern over funding challenges in a bid to address Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2030.
During a press briefing in Abuja last weekend, Utsev stated that while the initiative required an annual budget of ₦10 billion, only ₦5 billion had been released so far.
According to him, Nigeria requires an additional 11.6 million toilets to achieve the ODF goal. He emphasized that reaching ODF status encompasses more than merely constructing toilets.
Utsev acknowledged that significant advancements had been made, yet ensuring both access to and the appropriate utilization of these facilities continues to pose a significant challenge.
“The challenge is not only the number of toilets available but also raising awareness and encouraging their consistent use.
“This is why we are elevating the campaign to a higher level. The vice president will lead the relaunch of our strategy in a more impactful way,” he said.
The Minister further stated that development partners like UNICEF had made significant contributions by providing toilet facilities, training and awareness campaigns.
“Our partners do not provide funds directly but support through the supply of toilets and training programmes, their efforts have been invaluable in driving this campaign forward,” he said.
Since the campaign’s initiation in 2019, Utsev stated that 135 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and more than 30,000 communities have attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, with additional regions currently in the verification process.
He emphasized that, notwithstanding these accomplishments, the journey towards achieving universal sanitation is still extensive, particularly in underserved and vulnerable communities.
“Ending open defecation is about more than toilets, it’s about improving health, boosting productivity, and enhancing the dignity and safety of our citizens,” the minister emphasised.
Naija News understands that the event was part of activities marking the 2024 World Toilet Day with the theme ‘Sanitation for Peace,’ which underscores the significance of toilets as symbols of safety, dignity and development.
Govs Threatening Reps To Withdraw Support For Tinubu’s VAT Bill Or Lose 2027 Tickets – Spokesman
AFOLABI
The deputy spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that some state governors are threatening to deny federal lawmakers return tickets in 2027 if they don’t withdraw their support for President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills.
Recall that in September the President had submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Oyedele-led tax reforms committee.
The bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
The 36 state governors have, however, demanded the withdrawal of the executive bills, citing the need for more consultation and public input.
Agbese, while speaking in an interview with Punch, disclosed that the lawmakers will today (Monday) engage the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, and other renowned tax experts on the bills.
Speaking further, he said that some governors are holding meetings ahead of the National Assembly resumption to consider the tax bills and other important legislations.
According to him, “Some of these governors are threatening members from their states. They have even gone far to threaten that they would deny members return tickets in 2027 if they support the bills.”
The threats notwithstanding, the Benue lawmaker said nothing would make him and his colleagues change course, provided the bills are targeted at revamping the economy.
He continued, “As far as we are concerned in the House of Representatives, nobody can stop us from supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid to reboot the economy to work for the country.
“We are united across party lines to make sure the country works. This is the disposition of Speaker, Tajudeen Abass.”
While noting that lawmakers in the past could indeed be cajoled to give up their principles, the legislator reminded the governors that the 10th Assembly congressmen are a different breed of Nigerians.
He said, “The difference between the new crop of politicians in the House of Representatives is that we are intellectually sound, progressive-minded and pro-Nigeria.
“We were not elected by the governors but our constituents and as far as the legislation (bills) will work for those that elected us, we will support them unequivocally, wholeheartedly and powerfully to see the light of the day.”
The reinstated Labour Party governorship candidate in Ondo State, Ayodele Olorunfemi, has bemoaned his failure to win Saturday’s election, blaming former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress for his predicament.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission after sweeping the 18 local government areas in Ondo.
In the final declaration of the result by the State Returning Officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwumi, he said APC’s Ayedatiwa polled a total of 366,781 votes to defeat Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who got 117,845 votes.
The Returning Officer said, “That Ayedatiwa Lucky Orimisan of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby returned elected.”
Olorunfemi’s loss comes a few days after INEC returned his name on the ballot as LP flag bearer for the November 16 poll, following a ruling by the Court of Appeal.
Following weeks of suspense, Olorunfemi heaved a sigh of relief when the Court of Appeal in Abuja vacated an earlier judgment by the Federal High Court ordering the electoral umpire to recognise Obi’s anointed candidate, Olusola Ebiseni.
Reacting in an interview with The PUNCH, Olorunfemi vowed not to forgive the former LP presidential candidate and the NLC for the role they played in scuttling his Ondo governorship campaign.
When asked if he succeeded in having a last-minute door-to-door campaign with his supporters after winning his appeal, a saddened LP flag bearer confessed that his campaign for the election was neither here nor there.
He said, “I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election. These people spoilt things for us with that PDP reject they wanted to force on the party. Their insistence on having Ebiseni on the ballot ruined everything for me.
“They just capitalised on the crisis between the Labour Party and the Nigeria Labour Congress to create problems. Can you imagine that Ebiseni wrote a letter to the court in my name without my knowledge, saying I have withdrawn from the race? They cannot exclude me from such a position.”
While accepting that he knew his chances at the poll were slim after his reinstatement a few days to the poll, Olorunfemi vowed to get his pound of flesh.
The LP deputy chairman for South also threatened to petition police authorities to investigate how his name and signature were forged by Ebiseni and the NLC.
“Thank God we got an appeal judgment and my name is back in the INEC portal. The good thing here is that the truth has prevailed. Withdrawal must be voluntary. You cannot force someone to withdraw. What they have done was an attempt to force me behind my back.
“Again, it wasn’t the party that submitted it. It was the handiwork of the former President of the NLC and head of the National Transition Committee, Abduwaheed Omar. What they did is criminal.
“In fact, I am planning to petition the Inspector General of Police to probe how they wrote that letter, put my signature and presented it before the court. We will deal with that later. For now, we are still doing our underground work and doing our best for this election,” he stated.
When called to defend the allegation levelled against the workers’ union, acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku, described Olorunfemi as a ‘very funny character.’
“He is one human being you should never take seriously. As a result of this crisis between us and Abure, Olorunfemi became the deputy to Abure and he was given the ticket. Before this election, he was a placeholder. So what did he do? He now started shopping for who would buy the ticket from him.
“In the process, they asked Ebiseni to pay N20m to get the ticket. He paid and even added another N5m which they claimed was for expenses. When they refused to give him the ticket, Ebiseni went to court. In retaliation, the Abure’s camp started working to ensure INEC didn’t upload his name because of the Kagaroo judgment they went to secure.
“The only challenge we have was that before the judgment, INEC had already given the code for uploading the names of agents to Olorunfemi. We know he would have uploaded the names of suspected APC agents there. We know he is obviously working indirectly for the APC.”
As of the time of filing this story, efforts to reach both Obi and Ebiseni for reactions were unsuccessful.
Nigerians suffering, reverse floating of naira, Electricity Tariff/Petrol Price Increase - Labour urges Tinubu
AFOLABI
Organised Labour has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse policies on the floating of the national currency and rising energy costs, citing the need to reduce the economic hardship faced by Nigerians and businesses.
Naija News reports that the appeal was made in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the 6th Quadrennial and 13th National Delegates Conference of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE).
Speaking at the event, NUSDE President, Aminu Megbontowon, highlighted the significant challenges posed by the current economic policies.
“Nigerian workers and businesses are experiencing tough times due to some of the policies implemented by this government. The high cost of energy has severely impacted production, services, and workers’ welfare,” he stated.
Megbontowon criticized the soaring prices of petroleum products, which now exceed N1,000 per liter, and the increased electricity tariffs, which have risen from N68 to N227.
He emphasized that these costs are unsustainable for an oil-producing nation like Nigeria, especially when the purchasing power of its citizens remains alarmingly low.
He warned that the rising costs of production and living are driving many Nigerians into poverty, resulting in widespread job losses and the collapse of numerous businesses.
“Many factories are unable to sell their products, leading to redundancies and closures. This has a direct impact on our membership as workers lose their jobs daily,” he added.
The NUSDE President called for urgent government intervention, including the reversal of deregulation policies and the reduction of energy costs.
He also urged the President to end the devaluation and floating of the Naira, which has made imported goods and raw materials unaffordable.
“Nigeria’s economy needs cheaper energy, single-digit interest rates, and basic infrastructure to support production and services industries. The government must also embark on an ambitious industrialization plan to grow the economy,” he said.
Other demands include drastic cuts in electricity and petroleum product prices, affordable lending rates, and massive investments in infrastructure such as roads, refineries, schools, and hospitals to boost economic productivity and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
Organised Labour has warned that failure to address these pressing issues could lead to further economic deterioration and increased hardship across the nation.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has set its valuation at approximately $300 billion.
The valuation arises from the company’s latest share buyback program, offering investors $180.70 per share—marking a 12.9% increase from its previous buyback price of $160 per share in December 2023-Reuters first reported.
This is ByteDance’s third share repurchase initiative since 2022, as the company continues to provide liquidity to its investors in the absence of an initial public offering (IPO).
The prior buyback valued ByteDance at $268 billion, and the current program reflects growing confidence in the company’s financial performance and prospects.
The buyback comes as ByteDance reported a 30% increase in global revenue last year, reaching $110 billion, driven by the sustained popularity of TikTok and its expanding portfolio of digital platforms. However, the company has refrained from setting a timeline for a public market debut, according to sources.
The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. ByteDance has maintained that its buyback strategy offers investors a viable exit option while ensuring internal liquidity without the complexities of an IPO.
Despite these financial strides, ByteDance faces significant regulatory hurdles, particularly in the United States. A law signed by President Joe Biden in April requires the company to divest TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a ban on the app within U.S. borders. The administration has cited national security concerns over Chinese ownership of the platform.
In response, ByteDance and TikTok filed a lawsuit in federal court in May, challenging the legislation and seeking to block its enforcement. The legal battle has cast uncertainty over TikTok’s future in its largest market by user base.
ByteDance’s valuation reflects a delicate balance of its robust revenue growth and mounting geopolitical risks. The company’s decision to proceed with the buyback, regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, underscores its commitment to stabilizing investor sentiment amid external pressures.
While the $300 billion valuation highlights ByteDance’s dominance in the global tech landscape, its legal and regulatory challenges could influence future growth trajectories. For now, the company remains focused on maintaining its financial momentum while navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.
What to know
Nairametrics reported in October that Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance, had become China’s richest man, overtaking Zhong Shanshan, the bottled water magnate.
- Zhang’s rise to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary, considering his journey from a modest upbringing in Fujian Province to building one of the world’s most influential tech companies.
- Born in 1983, Zhang pursued software engineering at Nankai University, where his curiosity for innovation blossomed. After graduating, he gained experience at various tech startups, including Kuxun, a travel platform where he quickly rose through the ranks. This foundation would later shape his vision for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and Douyin.
Under Zhang’s leadership, ByteDance introduced a unique approach to content delivery powered by AI, redefining how users consume information globally. This ingenuity propelled the company to unprecedented success, making TikTok one of the most downloaded apps in the world and solidifying Zhang’s place among the tech elite.
[Nairametrics]
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the appointment of new and credible leaders for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with short tenures to curb corruption and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University in Connecticut, USA, Obasanjo delivered a keynote address titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” where he described the 2023 general elections as a “travesty.”
The former president emphasized the need for comprehensive reform of the electoral system, including rigorous vetting of INEC officials to eliminate partisan influences.
“As a matter of urgency, we must ensure the INEC chairperson and staff undergo thorough vetting,” he said. “The process must yield impartial, non-partisan individuals with impeccable reputations.”
Obasanjo proposed appointing credible leadership at all levels—federal, state, and local—with limited tenures to prevent political interference and corruption.
He stressed that the INEC chairperson must be “transparently independent and incorruptible.”
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding democratic integrity, Obasanjo called for measures to prevent electoral interference and advocated for clear financial regulations to ensure transparency in political campaigns.
He also urged the need for robust mechanisms to protect election infrastructure, particularly the technologies used for collating, transmitting, and verifying results.
The former president criticized INEC for failing to utilize the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) and election viewing portal (IReV) during the 2023 elections, which he said compromised the process.
“These technologies were praised for their potential to enhance transparency, prevent rigging, and build public trust,” Obasanjo remarked.
“However, INEC willfully neglected their use, leading to widespread irregularities. It was akin to inviting the fox into the henhouse.”
Obasanjo’s remarks underline the urgency of electoral reform as a cornerstone for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
[Leadership]
More...
Former presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, has urged Nigerians to stop fixating on the recent comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, and instead focus on the myriad of pressing issues facing the country.
Akande made this call during his segment on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Sunday, where he addressed the uproar over Badenoch’s remarks.
44-year-old Badenoch was born in London and spent part of her childhood in Nigeria recently remarked that she did not want the United Kingdom to mirror the situation in Nigeria.
Badenoch’s comments have sparked outrage among Nigerians.
“Our obsession with Mrs. Badenoch’s comments is entirely diversionary.”
“Instead of focusing on her, we should be attacking our real problems. Who cares what she thinks? The bigger issue is the state of our country — we should be putting pressure on our leaders to solve fundamental problems like fixing the national power grid,” he said.
During the segment, Akande commended the Supreme Court for its recent ruling that dismissed a lawsuit filed by 19 state governments challenging the constitutionality of key anti-corruption agencies. He described the case as a self-serving attempt to undermine the operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
“The 7-member Supreme Court panel unanimously dismissed the suit, labeling it ‘selfish,’” Akande said. “This ruling is a comforting rebuke against attempts to weaken our fight against corruption. It shows that while much has gone wrong in our country, redemption is not impossible if we remain steadfast.”
[DailyTrust]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for conferring the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Timothy Osadolor, the PDP's Deputy National Youth Leader, described the president's action as a misplaced priority. However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, argued that the president didn't do anything unprecedented.
The PDP's criticism comes after Tinubu conferred the award on Modi during the Nigeria/India Bilateral meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tinubu said the award was a show of appreciation for the partnership and bilateral relationship between Nigeria and India.
However, the PDP expressed disappointment, wondering why Tinubu chose to gift the second-highest national honor on the basis of mere friendship. The PDP National Working Committee member emphasized that though the president has the right to confer a national honor on anybody, there must be criteria to show why they deserve it.
Osadolor also wondered if the president asked the visiting PM and his delegation the right questions on investments and how Nigeria can borrow a leaf from the Indians to move the country out of the woods. He said, "Tinubu is not serious. He should leave out frivolities for bigger issues. Now that the Indian Prime Minister has taken it upon himself to visit Africa, yes, we have a significant and sizeable Indian community in Nigeria. But to what end can we maximize and leverage these businesses?"
On the other hand, Duru raised concerns that the PDP was not playing its role as a responsible opposition. He said, "I think the question to ask is whether there is a precedent in this. Then the next question is if it is within the confines of the power of Mr. President to confer such an award. If it is, is the process approved? Once all these questions are answered in the affirmative, it then becomes the discretion of Mr. President to confer such an honorary award on whom he pleases."
Meanwhile, Dr. Sylvester Okere, a United States of America-based Nigerian security expert, said the Indian-Nigerian partnership would secure the people's assets. Okere will speak on 'Indian-Nigerian Partnership in Securing People and Assets' at the 19th Security Leadership Summit 2024 in New Delhi.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo state governor-elect, says he wishes Rotimi Akeredolu, his late principal, was alive to witness his victory.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo, secured victory in all 18 LGAs, garnering 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117,845 votes.
Aiyedatiwa took over the leadership of the state after Akeredolu died from protracted prostate cancer in 2023.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television after his victory, Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu wanted him as his successor.
“How I wish he was present in that banquet hall when I was declared in the company of other brother governors. That would have been really good, but God knows better,” he said.
“It is so sad and painful that he didn’t live to see the manifestation of what he himself spoke about. I do refer to him sometimes as the man who saw tomorrow.
“He knew that I was going to succeed him as governor. He knew because he wanted me to and was ready to give me the full backing.”
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has expressed his love for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, method of corruption investigation and recommended that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, should conclude investigations before arrest.
Speaking weekend at the Food and Energy Security in Africa Conference held in Lagos on ‘the Rule of Law and attracting International Investment towards Food and Energy Security in Africa’ , Fagbemi said the FBI would have done diligently investigation before going after the suspects.
“My attitude has always been that when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, is investigating anybody, I prefer the FBI model of the institution. “
The Attorney General of the Federation said while FBI is conducting investigations that nobody hears anything, “but when they call at your doorstep, you have to open the door. Your rights are there. You call your, like they say in America, your attorney.
“You call your attorney, but I bet you what you will ask your attorney to do is to reduce your sentence, to negotiate how your sentence will be reduced. When they are doing it, nobody hears anything.”
He said the attitude of fighting corruption by saying a big fish has been caught without proper investigation should be discouraged.
Fagbemi said proper investigation before media trial is a more civilized way of fighting corruption.
“So if you don’t hear that anybody has been arrested, if you don’t hear that anybody has been invited, it is not because actions are negative and not going on. It’s just that I believe that that is a more civilized approach of waging war against corruption.”
“And that will also significantly reduce the impression even outside the country. I have made this point that I don’t believe that the situation is as bad as people are painting it. This issue of social media, they would have bastardized and abused the suspects before the truth came out.
“So it is important to say this. If you get one, if you want to crush the corrupt official, please do so, but ensure that he does not get off the shackles of the law.
“It is by so doing that we can help ourselves and help the country. We all have a duty; a civic responsibility to report incidents of corruption, and it is also the statutory duty of the anti-corruption agencies to ensure thorough investigation.”
While noting that corruption is everywhere in the world, he said the government is doing enough to curtail it
“First, I start with an opening statement. Corruption is everywhere in the world. So when I hear people talk of corruption, corruption, as it exists in Africa, it exists in Europe, in Asia, but I will limit my question to this one now.
“In matters of corruption in the energy sector, we know the effect is like a cancer. Unless you are very careful, you may not be able to stop it. But we are doing our utmost to ensure that this is nipped in the bud, or at least reduced to the bare minimum.”
Fagbemi disclosed that laws have been enacted in the fight against corruption.
“For instance, we have witnessed the promulgation into law of critical legislations like the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and Corruption Act also in 2022.”
He added that the “work of the various anti-corruption agencies, particularly the IPCC and EFCC are also things that we feel, if properly and effectively pursued, will also reduce corruption significantly and to ensure the process is respected, protected, and corruption is deterred.
“it’s not everything that IPCC or EFCC is doing that will be advertised. I am aware that they are more involved now in prevention while not abandoning corruption.”
The Minister of Justice noted that the EFCC and IPCC, in collaboration with other agencies, have investigated corruption allegations, and they have performed well.
“For example, in 2022, a total of 3,700, almost 4,000 convictions were secured. This evidence is efficient on the part of these institutions to address the current corruption.
“Combating corruption is one of government’s priorities, and that’s why government has been doing it.”
Fagbemi added, “I believe, so concerted efforts of government against corruption will continue for months in terms of stealing, executive interference. This will continue to signal foreign investors that Nigeria is serious about combating corruption.”
The Attorney General of the Federation also disclosed that the government will be tackling the issues of conflicting judicial decisions with technology.
“I cannot run away from the fact that we have had conflicting decisions. But I want to assure you that that was in the past. You will not hear of any conflicting decisions these days. And, you know, certainty and predictability are the two pillars upon which judicial decisions stand.
“It must be predictable. It must be certain. So when there is conflict, then there is a problem.”That is now being addressed.”
He added that conflicting decisions are mostly in political decisions.
“When cases are filed, numerous cases are filed almost simultaneously across all the divisions of the court.
“This one does not know what is going on there. So that accounts for that. But with technology that is being put in place, if any decision has been rendered along a particular area of the law, then it is easy to detect.”
[Vanguard]